Guiding and Inspiring bicycle riding for sport, Recreation and transportation since 1994
Issue 140 - Spring 2017
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Destinations within reach
Santiago Mountain
A guide to the original magic kingdom
Experential review
Marin Nail Trail 6 Raising the bar and setting expectations
ALSO electric age
specialized Turbo Levo
last page
Anti-Anti-Perspirant
Contents
Inside this issue
Features 05 basics City Action A practical guide to advocacy
By Kelley O’Toole
09 Profiles Winter Training in Ventura The recipe to race season success
By Charles Lindsey
Issue 140 Spring 2017 Designed and printed in Southern California. Read and distributed throughout the world.
Regulars 02 Find the chainlink 03 Prologue 04 Explore socalbicyclist.com 05 Analog/digital 06 Lawton on the Law 07 Ask the coach 08 Tour & Travel 10 The Jones Report 11 Bicyclist product matrix 20 event calendar 22 Last Page
10 Profiles Highway 39 Climb
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Preview of the Bike MS: Coastal Challenge
By Chris Reynolds
12 Electric Age Specialized Turbo Levo The Cliche Induction machine
By Bob Becker & Victor Prestinary
14 The Route Santiago Peak and the Main Divide Reaching the highest point in OC
By Victor Prestinary & Chris Reynolds
17 Frame First Marin Bikes 6061 Nail Trail 6 A Versatile and Quality Hardtail MTB
By Victor Prestinary & Chris Reynolds
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FIND THE CHAIN LINK
A small icon (exactly like this one: ) is hidden somewhere in this issue. If you locate it and enter our Find The Chain Link contest, you may win a FREE one-year subscription (or an additional year for existing subscribers) to the print edition of BICYCLIST magazine. To enter, go to socalbicyclist.com/ftc and complete the online entry form or send an entry with your name and phone number to Find The Chainlink c/o BICYCLIST magazine 14252 Culver Dr. Irvine, CA 92604. Entries must be received by March 25, 2017 for consideration. The winning entry will be selected using a random-number generator and announced in a future print issue.
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Last issue’s Winner Issue #139
Thomas Bosch of San Diego, CA correctly identified the chain link on page 9 of issue #139 (see left). For his efforts, he will receive a 1 year print subscription of the magazine and a care package of samples and SWAG from our sponsors and friends of the magazine.
Cover Victor Prestinary takes the Marin Nail Trail 6 on an exploration of post-rain Harding Trail. The trail is one of many possible gateways to enter the Cleveland National Forest, a natural MTB playground. (see page 14) Photo by Chris Reynolds
SoCal and Beyond
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Prologue spring 2017
EDITORIAL
Chris Reynolds - CR | Editorial Director chris@socalbicyclist.com Kelley O’Toole - KO | Managing Editor kelley@socalbicyclist.com Victor Prestinary - VP | Associate Editor victor@socalbicyclist.com Catherine Latour | Senior Editor catherine@socalbicyclist.com Bob Becker - BB | Electric Age bob@socalbicyclist.com Rick Shultz - RS | The Bike Fitter fit@socalbicyclist.com
ADVERTISING & SPONSORSHIP Chris Reynolds | Publisher chris@socalbicyclist.com
ONLINE
Chris Reynolds | Design & Development chris@socalbicyclist.com Kelley O’Toole | Social Media kelley@socalbicyclist.com Tim Wilson | Social Media tim@socalbicyclist.com
DISTRIBUTION & OPERATIONS
VITALS & SUBSCRIPTIONS
BICYCLIST: SoCal & Beyond is a multi-platform lifestyle and destination guide celebrating the arts, skills, events, and culture of the cycling life in Southern California and other locations in the Western U.S and BEYOND! BICYCLIST magazine is published 10 times per year. The print edition can be found at better bike shops, coffee shops and breweries throughout major metropolitan cities west of the Rockies. Print copy subscriptions are $20 per year for delivery to the destination of your choice in the United States. International print subscriptions are $35. For more information, visit www.socalbicyclist.com/subscribe or send check and your mailing address to Subscriptions BICYCLIST:SoCal & Beyond, 14252 Culver Dr. Irvine CA 92604.
DISCLAIMER Although all best efforts are made to avoid the same, we reserve the right to publish unintentional mistakes and/or factual errors which may occur on an issue basis. No responsibility is assumed by the publishers for unsolicited materials/articles/letters/advertising and all submissions will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright and/or appropriate licensing purposes subject to BSCB’s right to edit and comment editorially. The views and opinions expressed in this magazine reflect the opinions of their respective author’s and are not necessarily those of the publisher or the editorial team. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form [print or electronic] without prior consent of the publisher.
Bicycling can be a dangerous sport and can lead to serious injury or death. Make it safer for everyone and obey all traffic laws, ride responsibly, use common sense, and wear a helmet.
Victor Prestinary | Associate Publisher victor@socalbicyclist.com
CONTRIBUTORS
John Jones, Carl Lawton, Charles Lindsey, Justin Macias, Rick Schultz, Rob Templin
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Designed and Printed in SoCal Founded by Will Decker Published by Chris Reynolds Copyright ©2017 All rights reserved. All photography and design performed in-house by
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or the past few issues of our magazine, we’ve taken our readers to some international destinations. With profiles of both Noto, Japan, and the Titan Tropic MTB race through Cuba, we’ve highlighted some truly unique destinations for cycling. For this installment of BICYCLIST magazine, we’re looking at our own backyard, specifically Santiago Mountain. Locally known as Saddle Back mountain, it serves as an example of the ‘wild’ within reach, beckoning local exploration and providing an escape from the busy roads of Southern California. The Main Divide Road serves as the main corridor through this area, a fire road that stretches more than 20 miles across this stretch of Cleveland National Forest. With 9 points of entry from all directions of Orange and Riverside counties, there are options to provide a range of adventure. From a mellow roll to awaken the wilderness lover in all of us, to a harrowing and technical journey to the top, our route map on page 14 will get you started. As far as the bike recommendations for this original SoCal amusement park, we bring you the Marin Niner 6, a fantastic value for anyone looking to get into MTB. It has all the goods (hydro disc brakes, 1X drivetrain, front suspension, internal cabling and routing for a dropper post), with only a mild weight penalty, keeping the price to just under $1,200. We also profile the Specialized Turbo Levo, an eMTB that turns the steepest grades into mellow sightseeing rides in the outdoors. The fire roads of the Santiago Mountain area are an obvious destination to ride an eMTB, and the sheer number of miles will keep even the most active explorer occupied for a long time. Big thanks to Rock N’ Road in Orange County for their help in provisioning our ride. They have locations throughout Orange County with regular shop rides for both road and MTB and are sure to have a fresh copy of the latest print edition of our magazine. Beyond our hyper-local feature of Santiago Mountain, we have a lot in this issue for bicyclists from all areas. Whether you’re traveling into SoCal or journeying from, be sure to check out our resident touring specialist, Rob Templin, discussing three bikes specifically built for airline travel. Carl Lawton, writing his Lawton on the Law column discusses why he won’t be making left turns while road cycling and John Jones explains why all his customers are running alloy rims with 23mm tires in the latest drop of ‘The Jones Report’. Ride safe out there and send us photos of your travels we’d love to see where you go. Until next time... See you on the route,
Chris R .
- Chris Reynolds, editorial director
Chris Reynolds & Victor Prestinary unless otherwise noted.
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The Bicyclist Brief is a place for informative and interesting news that comes across our radar. We scour the interwebs curating and filtering for the most interesting news and content for both the local cyclist, as well as the cyclist living ‘beyond’ the SoCal borders. Succinct, to the point; brief.
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Breaking Up With Utah, Shimano Releases New MTB Groupset, Talking About Pants, and Liberty Station
68 Abuses In Pro Cycling, This KOM Will KILL You And Amateur Discussions Of ‘Breeders’
67 The Truck Death Trap, Old Dudes Rule And Andriy Grivko: Cycling’s Newest ‘Bad Boy’
66 Santa Barbara Road Race Mayhem, 60 Minutes: ‘Hidden Motors and Pro Cycling’ And The Spotted Scottish Man
65 Podium Girls No More For Tour Down Under, Super (Duper) Compact Cranksets, IKEA Sells A Bike and NorCal/SoCal Advocacy Updates
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68: The team discusses topics
of advocacy and land-use in Utah and Marin County. Also, Shimano’s latest MTB groupset updates, talking casual pants for cycling, and an assortment of other bits and pieces to think about on your next ride.
67: A dozen female cyclists
share their assault experiences anonymously with Cycling Tips, we talk Pumas in the mountains of Los Angeles, the California drought, and exploring alternative energy. A study looks at the performance of 105-year-old Robert Marchant on his recent world record, riding 14 miles in an hour. We discuss his performance, his bike and the daily habit that has kept him rubber side down all these years.
66:
65: Another stage race is cut short due to extreme heat. Also, a cyclist almost falls over a bridge at the Santa Barbara Road Race, the Tour of California routes are released, and 60 Minutes does a story on hidden motors in the peloton.
64: We cover the recent removal
of “Podium girls” in the Tour Down Under, super compact cranksets, and updates on different advocacy efforts in California.
Basics
City Action
How to Plan an Informative Bike Ride with Your City Council BY KELLEY OTOOLE
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ubbed the Walnut Experience, Randy Kiefer of OC Wheelmen and Bill Sellin of OCBC organized a casual Saturday ride with city council member Melissa Fox, to highlight areas of the Walnut Trail that affect bicyclists that live and ride through Irvine. All of these accommodations are in constant threat if there’s no one making the plea for better bike lane or objecting to developments taking over bike lanes, then non-bicyclists can assume they can do whatever they want with the land. We commended Melissa Fox for taking an active participation in getting to know the Irvine bicycle community. If there are any bike concerns in your city and you want immediate action, here’s a guide of the things we learned from our experience riding with Melissa Fox.
Get to know your representative.
Prior to this ride, local bicyclist Randy Kiefer set up a public meeting to discuss with the council some concerns regarding a bike trail in the city. It was a short meeting with a lot great conversation, which left the door open for more interaction. The new councilwomen Melissa Fox was very receptive to hearing out voices from the bicycle (continued on next page) @socalbicyclist
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The group from left to right, Bill Sellin, Doug Peterson, Kelley OToole, Chris Reynolds, Randy Kiefer and Melissa Fox.
(continued from previous page)
community and mentioned that she uses a Pedego as her main mode of transportation. Identifying this common interest opened up the possibility of future meetings that are more experiential than a meeting room at city hall.
Schedule ahead
After making an acquaintance with Melissa we scheduled a bike ride through a group email; it proved to be a lot easier to schedule when the council member has met you in person. Schedule a meeting far enough in advance to prepare, but not too far away that the group loses momentum. Two weeks from when you talk next is a good place to ask for.
Make sure they have a bike
If they do not, work as much as you can to facilitate this, maybe even by renting one from your local bike shop. Not owning a bike is a really good excuse for not getting on one. If they do not own a bike, consider their fitness level and bike experience; a good suggestion is an electric bike. Melissa had a Pedego, but Jax Bicycles in Irvine offered
Regulars
Lawton on the Law Left Turn Lane Alternatives
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BY CARL LAWTON
aking a left turn at intersections is the most dangerous part of bicycle riding in California because it has the highest count of accidents caused by vehicle/ bicycle collisions resulting in serious injury and death. According to law CVC 21202 (a), a bicycle rider can occupy a vehicle lane to legally make a left turn just as any other vehicle can. However, statistics show that this is not a safe place for a cyclist to be in against inattentive drivers that are not paying attention to the road in front of them. Despite law CVC 23123 prohibiting this bad habit and the dangerous lack of acuity that comes with it, drivers still use cell phones to talk and text. 6
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Enjoying a nice pace with Bill Sellin leading the way and the rest of the group following.
to loan a bike to anyone in the office that needed it.
Plan and prepare a short route that will highlight areas of concern.
One of the major talking points at this meeting involved the Walnut Trail being transformed from being called a trail, to a Class I Bikeway, so the route planned involved the 3.1 mi stretch of trail. Include paper copies of notes on the talking points during your ride and give letter grades for all the segments of the trail - both good and bad. Designate your leader and prepare everyone with a brief overview of the purpose and plan for the ride, plus the stops ahead.
keep the momentum going
Stay in touch with your representative and leave the meeting with some plan of action. Follow up with an email and include a digital attachment of the ride notes. Add all participants to a Google group or some kind of email group, that way everyone can stay connected and updated. ▲
There is NO call that cannot wait to be answered, but the state is somewhat complicit here with a very minimal $50 fine for what could conceivably cost someone their life. Lack of perception on the part of many car drivers in California makes it dangerous for us cyclists and results in the carnage that we see on our roads when drivers plow through red lights hitting crossing pedestrians - including children, or rear-ending and running over cyclist seriously injuring and even killing them. There are also too many hit and run ‘accidents’ that we see on the news broadcasts on TV. Though it is true that by law cyclists have the lawful right to be making a left turn at the arrow light, what good is it to be right about something when you are lying in cast-in-traction on a gurney staring at the hospital ceiling? While riding a bike we’re not only exposed to the natural elements, but the much harder elements in your immediate surroundings like concrete and steel cars that weigh tons that you will not stand a chance against on your 30 lb bike - something to consider if you are deciding whether or not to blow between cars to beat traffic. As a rider you are not safe and have absolutely no protection against all that heavy metal. I recommend a much safer way to make that left turn that takes just a minute longer of your time to do so. When riding and approaching an intersection to make a left turn, ride your bike through the nearside curb lane as you normally would on a green light and stop at the traffic light on the opposite side of the cross street where you are headed. This maneuver takes a minute longer for the light to change and you are ready to go again. You may ask why you should do this when you have every legal right to make a left turn? That depends on whether you value your life as much as your life is worth and how long you plan to live. Just remember that riding a bike is very risky to start with so by minimizing the risk it will allow you to ride into your senior years and beyond. Taking that one-minute longer could save your life instead of losing your life in one minute. ▲ SoCal and Beyond
regulars
Ask the Coach with Rick Schultz
DO You Have A FIT Question? Send your inquiries to fit@socalbicyclist.com
USA CYCLING COACH, USAC CERTIFIED
Q. What are the most common problems you see when preforming a bike fit? A. The majority of problems I see can be separated into three primary issues.
Cleat Alignment
The first most common problem I see in a bike analysis is bad cleat alignment. A clear indication of this is when a cyclist has their knees pointing at an angle at the top of the pedal stroke. This is inefficient and damaging to the knees because you are not only over-stretching the lateral collateral ligament but it also puts extra pressure on the lateral condyle and lateral meniscus (all are ligaments of the knee), which will only cause knee pain later in life. This is usually experienced by cyclists with wider hips that have had their cleats positioned too far to the outside (i.e., shoes positioned too close to the crank arms). It is advantageous to add even more width to the cyclists stance by moving the entire pedal further out. This can be done using 1-2 pedal washers or even using pedal axle extenders. Another problem I see with bad cleat alignment is when the toe-in/toe-out is not setup correctly, leading to additional stress on the knees. A good cleat placement has the metatarsals directly over the pedal spindle so that when you are in your 3 o’clock power stroke, your feet are positioned to be able to help provide the maximum force to the pedals. A good bike fitter will have your knees going straight up and down during the first visit.
Saddle Positioning
The second problem I see is a combination of incorrect saddle height and fore-aft positioning. Most cyclists are either too high or too low in the saddle, as well as either too far back or too far forward. Being too high can cause the knee to be hyper-extended which causes pain at the rear of the knee; being too low in the saddle can cause the knee to be hyper-flexed which can overstretch the cruciate ligaments. These ligaments are the major stabilizing ligaments in the knee and can be damaged more easily in those cyclists who produce more power. Correct saddle height allows the cyclist to pedal with force midway between these two endpoints which will generate the most power without damaging the knees. Another saddle issue is fore-aft positioning. Many bike shop employees and even some bike fitters will use the saddle fore-aft to adjust the riders reach and comfort to the bars. This adjustment is for placing the knees over the pedal spindles and should not be used to adjust the reach to the bars. When this critical position is done correctly, the knees are placed directly over the pedal spindles so that when the cyclist is generating their highest power and pushing the hardest on the pedals, their knees are pushing straight down and not forward or backward. While there is some leeway in this adjustment, the closer the cyclist is to this correct measurement, the less stress there is on the knees.
Handlebar Height
The third problem I see are handlebars that are positioned too low. Many cyclists like that ‘pro-racer’ look, but may lack the flexibility and core strength to support this aggressive position. Low handlebar position will overstretch the hamstrings, which not only robs you of a lot of power but can also cause lower back pain. If correctly fit your back will be flat and you should not have any lower back pain. Our bodies give us precise feedback and clues it as to how it is adapting to the bicycle. The real problem in riding a bicycle is the fact that you are coupling an asymmetric machine (human body) to a symmetric machine (bicycle). People aren’t symmetric from left to right but a bicycle is and that’s where the problem is. I will also argue that there are nine contact points between the body and the bicycle; 2 for the feet, 2 for the hands, 2 for the sit bones, 2 for the pubic rami and one for the soft tissue, and they all work together to support the body. Correct alignment is absolutely critical to maximize power and minimize injury. Since your feet are locked into a fixed socalBICYCLIST.com
One of Coach Rick Schultz’s Bike fitting stations.
position and your hips are a fixed width, your knees are left to take up any slack on a misaligned body-to-bike fit. If this interface is out of alignment, then the rest of the body will compensate for this misalignment by heels moving side to side, knees diving in and out, hips and buttocks twisting in the saddle, and that’s just one pedal stroke. Multiply that by 10,800 pedal strokes during a 2-hour ride and you quickly have the makings for a major repetitive injury. Other asymmetrical properties to consider are Leg Length Discrepancy – legs of different length (not uncommon), Scoliosis – spine curvature (also not uncommon), one side of the body stronger than the other, etc. Again, this misalignment can take the form of discomfort, pain and/or injury. To go even further, there are even more items that further compound this problem, incorrect saddle width, seat post too low/high, stem too short/long, even the wrong size frame.
Starting points
1) Start off with a quality bike sizing before you purchase your new bicycle. Make sure to deal directly with a bike fitter or shop fitter trained and certified in bike sizing. This is the most important step in the process. With a frame that doesn’t fit you, a bike fitter can only do so much to accommodate you. For your preferred frame, a qualified bikesizer will be able to tell you your exact frame size, crank length, best pedal options, stem length, best saddle(s), best handlebar width and even the number of spacers that will ultimately be placed between the stem and headset. Other items to discuss are elliptical rings, wheel options and power meters. 2) Once you get your new bike, go directly back to the fitter to get a thorough bike fit where all of these mentioned items will be fine-tuned to fit you perfectly. 3) If you want to enjoy cycling more, seek out a USAC certified coach who will help you by optimizing your pedaling and give you drills that will increase your power and stamina. Make sure to choose a coach who is certified in power based training. After 6-8 weeks you will be able to stay up with your favorite group ride. In summary, most, if not all of these injury causing misalignments can be fixed by a fitter who works closely with a Physical Therapist. Depending on the ailment, the bike fitter might only be able to go so far in the initial fit. A good bike fitter will discuss with you the need for a physical therapist to look and possibly treat a given issue. After treatment, the bike fit can be continued to a successful and injury free conclusion. ▲
Coach Rick Schultz is an avid cyclist who trains, races and coaches in Southern
California. He’s a bike fitter and USA Cycling Level 2 coach. As a USAC Certified Power Based Trainer, Rick also teaches the local Beginner Racer Program for USA Cycling. He’s the author of Bike Fit 101: Your Toolset for a Great Bike Fit and Stretching & Core Strengthening for the Cyclist and Triathlete. Check his website bikefitnesscoaching.com. Rick is now working with Jax Bicycles as their premier bike fitter using the new state of the art Trek Fit System. Come on by and give it a try.
@socalbicyclist
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Regulars
Tour and Travel Three Bikes that simplify air travel and redefine travel bike designs BY ROB TEMPLIN
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hether for work or pleasure, air travel with a bicycle has never been an easy proposition even under the best of circumstances. These days, travelers are greeted at the airport by the TSA’s bureaucratic dog-and-pony show, long check-in lines, and exorbitant fees from airlines looking to gouge customers with any possible revenue source they can tap into. Baggage fees are now pushing $100 oneway on domestic routes and $200 for each segment on international flights. It’s almost enough to make the most ardent cyclist think twice about taking a bike on their next trip. Almost. We take a look at three innovative ‘travel’ bike designs that will help to avoid excess baggage fees and break down in 30-60 minutes. Most importantly, all perform like a ‘real’ bike and can easily serve as your main ride.
BIKE FRIDAY
Early in my days as a partner of Burley Design Cooperative, I found myself traveling extensively to a wide range of cycling events and festivals, usually with a bike in tow. The skies were still ‘friendly’ before 9/11 but boxing and transporting a bicycle always complicated my schedule. So I was intrigued when one of the innovative companies we collaborated with in Eugene, Oregon, Green Gear Cycling, offered me the opportunity to put some miles on a compact 20” wheel bicycle they had in development. Green Gear Cycling’s Bike Friday ‘Pocket Rocket’ (the name inspired by Man Friday of Robinson Crusoe fame) fit into a stock Samsonite suitcase ($285), and looked like a normal piece of travel luggage. Of all the travel bikes we looked at, the Pocket Rocket Pro had the best design for easy transport and packing. Bike Friday’s media guy, Matthew Corson-Finnerty, says the “Pocket Rocket Pro is going to pack much faster, with less disassembly, and less effort than (a) Co-Motion or Ritchey”. The frame comes with a lifetime warranty. Depending on options, an Bike Friday is a custom builder, with a web tool for customizing your build. Ultegra-level build ranges from $3,500 to $4,000; and weighs 21-22 lbs approximately. If a non-conventional design and 20” wheels don’t appeal to you, we have two other great alternatives. More than a decade later, after 100-plus business trips and over 25,000 road miles, I was sold on the concept of a ‘travel’ bike. Sure, I had to put up with comments about the looks of my compact ‘clown’ bike but it rode well enough that completing a double century wasn’t a problem.
S&S Co-Motion
In 1993, S&S Machine, an industrial machine shop located in Northern California, designed and produced a bicycle frame tube coupling mechanism that is now used by over 100 frame builders around the world. Counterintuitive as it might seem, ‘cutting’ a frame tube apart to install couplers actually increases the strength of the assembled frame. Co-Motion Cycles, a custom frame builder also located in Eugene, would design and build my next travel bike using this S&S coupler design, the Co-Motion “Espresso”. After 40 trips and 30,000-plus miles on my coupled machine, I can attest to the design’s durability and strength. While you can fit everything (frame and wheels) into one of the special Co-Motion bags ($395), I purchased two so I could substantially 8
BICYCLIST magazine
The S&S coupler as included on the Co-Motion “Espresso” frame tubes allows frame disassembly and portability.
reduce the amount of packing time: one case for the frame and the other for the wheels. Other than separating the frame, no other major disassembly (like the handlebars, crank, pedals, etc.) is required with this two bag method. I use the rest of my travel gear, like clothing packed in plastic bags, to ‘fill out’ both cases – which helps to not only pad everything but keeps gear from sliding around (not a bad idea, actually, with any of the cases). You can purchase an S&S padding kit ($89) which I did initially; but, after many years of experimentation, I opted to just cut up old comforters into several squares matching the inside luggage dimensions; in effect, making a padded ‘sandwich’ of the frame and wheels. Everything stays protected and the tedious process of installing various pieces of frame foam padding is eliminated. With any of these travel designs, you’ll find your own shortcuts for making packing a relatively easy task. Consider purchasing an inexpensive, compact hand scale for your travels – the airlines have become real sticklers for the 50 lb. limit with each piece of luggage. A Co-Motion “Espresso” with Reynolds 853 steel tubing and a ENVE carbon 2.0 fork starts at a base rate of $1,895; with the S&S coupler option adding $700-800. A full Ultegra-level build will set you back around $6,000 (again, depending on options), and hit the scales at around 21-22 lbs. According to Co-Motion, this would be a great frame for those looking for a “perfectly balanced, classic road-racing machine that couples the unmatched ride quality of steel with the ultimate in lightweight design”. S&S couplers are an option for almost any bike they manufacture.
Ritchey Break-Away
Many cyclists might be leery of riding a bike called the ‘Break-Away’ but the name is an apt description of Tom Ritchey’s concept of a versatile travel bike. Ritchey’s marketing manager Fergus Tanaka, however, is quick to point out that “I don’t refer to our Break-Aways as travel bikes, per se, but bikes that travel”. A patented locking compression system, which enables the frame to be split apart, adds only 100 grams and doesn’t require any special tools to assemble (like the custom S&S spanner required on the Co-Motion). The Break-Away steel frameset (5.2 lbs for 56cm) comes with a Pro Carbon fork and headset; case, padding, cable disconnects and couplers are all included in the $1,499.95 suggested price. You should be able to keep the full bike with an Ultegra build under $3,500. As for the ride, Tanaka just completed a tour of Nicaragua on a Break-Away, while many of their customers buy the bike as their main ride. Be forewarned that the Ritchey case is slightly over most airline The Ritchey Break-Away Carbon frameset. dimension standards but Tanaka says he hasn’t ever been charged for his case at the airport. If you want to avoid any potential hassles, several of their retail shops will switch out the stock case (for a slight upcharge) to a hard shell S&S case which does meet the airline’s requirements. Check out each company’s website for a more detailed look on how everything comes together (or apart). Bottom line, any of these bikes will be more than adequate for your next adventure - not only being air-friendly, as well as performance-ready for the serious enthusiast. ▲ SoCal and Beyond
Profiles
Winter Training in Ventura County The secret to race season success BY CHARLES LINDSEY
A
s the cliff swallows flock to San Juan Capistrano, UCI Continental cycling teams return to Ventura County for annual winter training camps. You can catch glimpses of these pro teams on the road from mid-January to midFebruary. I have seen the Rally Cycling team, Axeon Hagens Berman team, United Healthcare team and the men and women’s Canadian National Teams. Ventura County has some advantages as a base for winter cycling training beyond just the mild weather in Southern California. There is easy access to the Santa Monica Mountains, Topa Topa Mountains and the Santa Ynez Mountains in Santa Barbara County for hill climbing training that provides challenges for these teams - as well as for us local riders. From Deer Creek Road near Mugu Rock with its 1,100 ft. rise in 2.5 miles to the 11 mile climb up Highway 33 North of Ojai to the Rose Valley Recreation, and finally, the tough 6.5 mile Gibraltar Road climb in Santa Barbara. For flat training, the PCH north from Malibu, and the Rincon Highway between Ventura and Carpinteria provide miles of riding along the ocean. Additionally, the Amgen Tour of California passes through this area annually. Continental teams that train here almost have a home field advantage during that stage. Neilson Powless of Axeon, came in fifth in Stage 3 finishing on Gibraltar Road last year. This is the tenth year that the Rally Cycling Team has come to a beach house in Silver Strand that is owned by one of the team managers. They stay in the house together for the length of the training camp as a team building exercise where the current team and new members get to know each other to enhance team communications for the upcoming seasons.
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Riding with California-based Rally Cycling Pro Team.
I’ve seen the support vehicles on my way to work, with the team bicycles loaded on top, heading out for a day of riding. You get used to seeing the teams training or doing team photo shoots. You will be riding along and a bunch of young riders, identically dressed, will glide by. They always are friendly and say “Hi,” or wave, and then they move along. The Axeon Team took their team photo out by Mugu Rock three weeks ago, and a few years ago United Healthcare shot the team commercial on the roads above Santa Barbara. The continental teams will be around for a week or so more and then their season will start in earnest. For the local cyclists, like me, it is another indicator that there is no real offseason for Southern California cyclists. ▲
Charles Lindsey has written a number of books and articles about rides and events around SoCal. You can find out more at his website, venturacycling.blogspot.com
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9
Profiles
regulars
Highway 39 Bike MS: Coastal Challenge
The Jones Report
F
rom Santa Monica to Pasadena, The Bike MS Coastal Challenge has moved to the iconic Rose Bowl for this year’s event. You can choose your challenge of 100, 60, or 30 miles that travels through the San Gabriel Mountains and other iconic Los Angeles landmarks. This year the century riders will be riding through the Angeles National Forest and on Glendora Mountain Road, a popular stretch amongst locals and visitors. All routes also pass the iconic Huntington Library in San Marino. ▲
Alloy isn’t dead yet! BY JOHN JONES
T
“A pendulum swings both ways and we’ve seen a growing curiosity and appetite for componentry NOT made from carbon fiber.”
he bicycle industry has always been sensitive to the wishes of its customers, but I think something has happened in the last thirty years that has made it even more sensitive to trends. In that time we’ve seen a huge number of new enthusiasts take to the roads (or trails) who came from other sports. They have joined our ranks because cycling is essentially kind to the body, especially the knees and hips; that’s not true of tennis or running, for example. The newcomers weren’t steeped in bicycle lore and didn’t necessarily have the same reverence for the past that the Old Timers have. Not necessarily a bad thing; cycling’s a big tent, after all. Along with their money, they also brought an openness to new materials. The new materials were coming, for sure, but these guys had seen carbon or graphite in their tennis rackets or golf clubs, so why not in a bicycle frame?
The Carbon Era was born...
Something interesting has happened in the last five to ten years. A pendulum swings both ways and we’ve seen a growing curiosity and appetite for componentry NOT made from carbon fiber. I share premises with Aaron Stinner, who heads Stinner Frameworks. He makes frames out of steel and titanium. Owing to demand, he struggles to keep the waiting list short. People have rediscovered the virtues of these materials.
HIGHWAY 39 IS ONE OF THE ‘MERIT BADGE’ CLIMBS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. IT IS AN ICONIC CLIMB THAT MAKES IT’S WAY INTO THE SAN GABRIEL WILDERNESS, PROVIDING SWEEPING VIEWS AS IT MAKES ITS WAY AROUND THE SAN GABRIEL RESERVOIR.
It’s a similar story with bicycle rims.
WITH A STEADY GRADE THAT WILL REQUIRE SOME TENACIT Y AND PERSEVERANCE ON THE PART OF THE RIDER, THE REWARDS ARE IMMEDIATE, WITH A SUDDEN ESCAPE FROM THE URBAN SPRAWL BELOW. FOR THIS YEARS BIKE MS COASTAL CHALLENGE, THE ROUTE WILL BE INCLUDING THIS SEGMENT, A GUARANTEED WAY TO EMPLOY A ‘STRENGTH IN NUMBERS’ TACTIC WHILE BRAVING THE MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY.
I build a lot with carbon fiber. It’s light and comfortable; you can make a deep, aerodynamic rim at a weight that aluminum fails to match. However, I also construct many wheels featuring the new wave of wide alloy rims from companies such as Pacenti, Hed and Velocity. They concede to carbon in terms of aerodynamics, but have a big advantage when it comes to the internal width of the rim. This is the measurement that matters. I’ll explain in a moment, but here’s a story first. I have a set of test wheels built with Pacenti SL23 rims. The rims are 24.5mm wide and are stated to be 420 grams, but they were actually 409 grams. I weighed them before I built them up. I shod them with Schwalbe One tubeless 700 x 23 tires. These tire measured 26mm wide when installed! That’s because the internal width of this rim is 20.5 mm. It allows the tire to sit fat and wide, creating a generous contact patch that supplies improved feedback and security to the rider. What’s not to like? Improved cornering, descending and braking; plenty of comfort courtesy of the tubeless tire; no need to use a 25c tire to gain a bigger contact patch, so weight savings are generated. I’ve mounted these wheels on four of my customers’ bikes in the last month; every one of them has purchased a pair afterward.
The comparison
A carbon road rim 25mm wide does not come close to having the internal width of an alloy rim. You’re ending up with an internal width of 17mm for most of the carbon offerings out there -- the clinching edges of a carbon rim simply must be beefed up to hold the pressure. Owing to this narrower internal width, a reduced contact patch - and a reduction of all the good qualities associated with it is the consequence. This is over-simplified, of course. I’m just a wheel-builder, after all. But hopefully I’ve illustrated that there’s no perfect material or design out there. We’re closer than we were, but we are still working towards it. ▲
John Jones owns and operates Jones Precision Wheels in Goleta, CA. www.jonesprecisionwheels.com
10
BICYCLIST magazine
SoCal and Beyond
regulars
BPM Bicyclist Provisions Matrix #003FOR- THE The Rainy Day BIKE AND THE BICYCLIST,
Visit socalBICYCLIST.com and search the BRAND name for more information, reviews and images.
ON DAYS BOTH WET AND SUPER WET.
Wet
Super Wet
Bike
MuC-Off $9
brooks $150
ABUS $40
Kenda $35
Raleigh $2000
Bio Wet Lube
Land’s End Rear Pannier
NutFix Axle Lock Set
Kwick Trax, 700x28
Clubman Carbon ( w/ Fenders)
Feedback Sports $430
sci con $1000
Panache $160
Gore $280
Rocky Mounts $120
Omnium Portable Trainer
Aerotech TSA Travel Case
Chapman Thermal Jersey
ShakeDry GoreTex Jacket
Compton Stainless Steel U-lock
DMT $350
Grip Grab $40
Timbuk2 $100
Showers Pass $275
Swrve $300
RS-1 Road Shoe
Race Aqua Hi-Vis
Classic Messenger Bag - Unicolor
Atlas Reflective Jacket
KEIU waterproof ANORAK
Fisher $19 Extreme Weather ‘Space Pen’
Showers Pass $75
Sockguy $12
Bamboo/Merino Henley Base
#PandaPower Socks
Thunderbolt Sportswear $200
Buff $22
Original Jeans, mark ii alloy
Reflective Pink Fluorescent
Bookman $20
AcuRite $49
Death Wish Coffee $16
Rite in the Rain $20
Robb Wolf $17
Clip-on Reflectors
Color Weather Station
Valhalla Ground Coffee
All-Weather 3” x 5” Notebook, 3 pack
‘Wired to Eat’
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BICYCLIST
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11
WE TOOK TWO SPECIALIZED TURBO LEVOS ON UP MAPLES SPRINGS TRUCK TRAIL TO FOUR CORNERS, PICTURED HERE WITH THE SAN GABRIEL MOUNTAINS IN THE BACKGROUND.
Specialized Turbo Levo ´
The Cliche Induction Machine
WORDS BY BOB BECKER PHOTOGRAPHY BY VICTOR PRESTINARY
THE TURBO LEVO FAMILY OF eMTB'S IS AVAILABLE IN FULL SUSPENSION AND HARDTAIL VERSIONS FOR MEN AND WOMEN. ALL UNITS INCLUDE A 250W MOTOR CUSTOM MADE FOR SPECIALIZED, AND CAN BE MONITORED AND TUNED USING SPECIALIZED'S 'MISSION CONTOL' APP FOR ANDROID AND iOS.
T
he Turbo Levo FSR is Specialized's electric assist full suspension mountain bike in an array of four flavors which range in price from the base model at $4,500, to the S-Works edition at $9,500. We put the base model and the $5,500 Comp. to work. Both bikes had four levels of assist from the German engineered and assembled Brose motor which was designed to Specialized's requirements. Each has a 460 watt hour battery mounted inside the oversize downtube, 11-speed SRAM rear transmission, Rock Shox front suspension, Fox rear shock, 200mm SRAM GLIDE hydraulic disc brakes and 3.0 inch Specialized Purgatory mid-fat tires. The bikes were tested by a trio of riders ranging in abilities from middle-of-the-road to expert. All agreed that the two bikes were exceptional performers in a variety of conditions from easy trail riding to very technical outings. The Brose motors exhibited a smooth quiet power delivery that came on smoothly, but powerfully. The suspension components lived up 12
BICYCLIST magazine
to their reputations absorbing small ripples and big hits with aplomb. The batteries provided two hours of continuous use on a very steep ride and retained 30% of their capacity. The Specialized tires exhibited exceptional traction in every type of trail where the bikes were ridden. Is the bike faster than a speeding bullet? Not exactly, but it climbed an eight mile 3,000 foot ascent in about half the time of a non-motorized mountain bike. Is it more powerful than a locomotive? No, but it attained its top assisted speed of 20 mph in seconds. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound? Probably not, but it provided sure traction over icy, rock-strewn terrain and a hub deep swirling torrent of water. Tired of cliches? Me too. These Turbo Levo models are capable of furthering the historical significance other Specialized bikes have received beginning with the Stumpjumper many years ago. These bikes may be the best thing since sliced bread (sorry). ▲
The Specialized Control phone app fine-tunes the electric motor controller.
SoCal and Beyond
Where can I ride my e-MTB?
JUSTIN MACIAS CROSSES THE FINAL WATERSHED WHERE MAPLE SPRINGS TRUCK TRAIL TRANSITIONS FROM PAVED ROAD TO DOUBLETRACK.
W
ith electric mountain bikes on the rise with the rest of the e-bike industry, finding a place to ride is your e-MTB is getting a little more complicated. Trail tensions are getting higher all over California, so knowing where you can take your hardearned mid-drive powered full-suspension is essential to avoiding a potential confrontation. Lucky for you, SoCal is full of doubletrack fire roads that you can explore for years on your brand-new e-MTB. In our Orange County backyard, Cleveland National Forest has a plethora of options for doubletrack, including Maple Springs Truck Trail, located at the end of Silverado Canyon Road. After a three-mile paved ride through a few water crossings (this was written after a big rainy season), Maple Springs turns into a windy, rutty doubletrack that was patched with ice this winter. It's about a four-mile climb to Four Corners and Main Divide Road. The pair of Turbo Levos we had were awesome for the trip up, with plenty of battery to make it up in eco mode. The Specialized full-suspension frame and Purgatory three inch tires crushed the descent - a top notch experience. Other routes in the area include Blackstar Canyon Road up to the KSOX Doppler Radar Tower and Harding Truck Trail, both with fantastic views of the Southland. ▲
Specs: Turbo Levo FSR Comp 6Fattie (green) FRAME: Specialized M5 Premium Aluminum, enclosed internal cable, 140mm of travel REAR SHOCK: FOX FLOAT Performance, 197x47.6mm FORK: RockShox Yari RC 29/27.5+, 140mm travel CRANKSET: Custom alloy crankarms, 32T chainring REAR DERAILLEUR: SRAM GX, long cage, 11-speed SHIFTER: SRAM GX, 11-speed, trigger CASSETTE: SRAM XG-1150, 11-speed, 10-42t CHAIN: SRAM PCX1, 11-speed w/PowerLink BRAKES: SRAM Guide R, hydraulic disc HANDLEBAR: Specialized, 6061 alloy, 750mm width SEATPOST: Command Post IRcc, 125mm travel HUBS: Specialized disc, alloy, sealed cartridge bearings RIMS: Roval 584x38, 38mm inner width SPOKES: DT Swiss Industry, stainless TIRES: Purgatory, GRID casing, 650bx3.0" MOTOR: Specialized Custom 250 W
More Photos?
Visit socalbicyclist.com and search “Levo”
BATTERY: Custom LEVO, 460Wh MSRP: $5500
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13
Main Divide Road Skyline Drive
Blackstar Canyon Road Main Divide Road Bedford Motorway
Main Divide Road Maple Springs Truck Trail
Harding Truck Trail Lower Holy Jim Trail
Trabuco Creek Road
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BICYCLIST magazine
SoCal and Beyond
The Route
Santiago Peak and Main Divide Road in Cleveland National Forest REACHING THE HIGHEST POINT IN ORANGE COUNTY IS EASIER THAN YOU THINK
A What's your favorite way to the peak? Tag us in an image of you (buddies optional) at Santiago Peak, and we'll enter your name to be picked in an awesome giveaway!
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t an elevation of 5,689 feet, Santiago Peak looks out from the Cleveland National Forest in the heart of SoCal as the highest peak in Orange County. The Cleveland National Forest is a large segmented protected area stretching from the south of San Diego to the north of Orange County and Riverside, with Santiago Peak in the northernmost section bordered by Santiago Canyon Road and Interstate 15. The summit is highly accessible to hikers and mountain bikers via the Main Divide Road, which stretches north to south - with connections - from California State Route 91 to State Route 74 (Ortega highway). Coal Canyon Trail connects to the Santa Ana River Trail in the north and the paved Long Canyon Road loop connecting to Ortega Highway in the south. The north section also features connections from Blackstar Canyon Road doubletrack (west), Bedfort Motorway dirt road (east) and Skyline Dr. doubletrack (east). The "peak section" of Main Divide Road starts in the north from a spot known locally as "Four Corners", where the northern section of Main Divide meets the Maple Springs and Harding Truck Trail doubletracks. South of the peak, Main Divide connects to the Lower Holy Jim Trail singletrack, Indian Truck Trail doubletrack (connecting to Riverside), and West Horsethief Trail singletrack (which meets at the base of Lower Holy Jim trail at the dirt Trabuco Creek Road). There's so many miles of terrain to cover in this area - a ton of information here to plan your next outing. What's your favorite way to the peak? â–˛
Indian Truck Trail
Main Divide Road
West Horsethief Trail Long Canyon Road
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15
Harding Truck Trail in Cleveland National Forest LOOKING BACK OVER THE CANYON ENTRANCE TO HARDING TRUCK TRAIL Near Maple Springs in the eastern area off of Santiago Canyon Road, the Harding Truck trail begins at the end of Modjeska Canyon Road in Silverado, CA. It's a steep climb to Four Corners where it meets up with Main Divide Road about 3000 feet above the parking lot. This is one of the many doubletrack fire roads in the northern part of Cleveland National Forest that is easily accessible with any mountain or gravel bike. Hardtails work well on these roads, being lightweight and inexpensive, so just about anyone can get out and explore this area without too much expertise. More advanced riders have plenty of route options as well with singletrack trails branching out through the hills. Stop by the The Path's Trabuco Canyon location, which specializes in off-road riding, for some more information on riding the area, and thanks to Rock N' Road Irvine for their help putting these features together for you (ask for Justin Macias). â–˛
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BICYCLIST magazine
SoCal and Beyond
Marin Bikes 6061 Nail Trail Series
Frame First: Hardtail MTB
WORDS BY VICTOR PRESTINARY PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRIS REYNOLDS
C
alifornia-based Marin Bikes continues to grow and improve their many lines of bikes, with their Nail Trail hardtail 2017 series bringing versatility and quality without breaking the bank. With the 2016 'all-adventure-bike' craze behind us (now that everyone has perfected their adventure bikes), we took a different look from the Marin Four Corners Elite we tested last year. The FCE was one of the industry's pioneering models in the all tour category, built-up for maximal durability and loading. The Nail Trails take a different look than the FCE; they're built for speed and maneuverability while maintaining the same Marin attitude of versatility and consideration to detail. The Nail Trail 7 comes with Shimano SLX Shadow rear derailleur, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, RockShox
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fork with 120mm of travel, and internal cable routed dropper post installed. The more affordable Nail Trail 6 uses the same internal cable routing 6061 frame, and is similarly equipped but with SRAM NX rear derailleur and doesn't include the dropper post. With the great quality of today's entry-level components, the biggest consideration when getting a new bike is finding a good frame. The Nail Trail frames are built from butted aluminum with a lower bottom bracket and angled headtube, leading an industry shift toward longer, more stable hardtails. Wider rear axle spacing (142x12mm) and chainstay shape and length lead to a compliant rear-end, getting you slightly closer to full-suspension rear traction while maintaining the light weight of a hardtail. Full internal cable routing for shifting
and braking come stock on both models and wide-range 11-42t 11-speed cassettes provide all the gears you need to tackle any local doubletrack (or singletrack!). Marin doublewall aluminum wheels provide 27mm or 29mm inner rim width, helping the Schwalbe 2.25 Nobby tires provide plenty of traction. We tested the Nail Trail 6 out at Whiting Ranch and Harding Truck Trail in Orange County and had an awesome experience on steep climbs and winding descents. Right out of the box, these bikes are ready for any adventure and provide an excellent platform for future component upgrades. This is one of my favorite bikes for trails, and I definitely recommend it for long cross-country, short day trail rides, gravel grinders, and even as an entry-level bike for XC racing around SoCal. â–˛
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17
LEFT Crossing the Cleveland National Forest Boundary on the Harding Truck Trail. ABOVE RIGHT The Nail Trail 6 uses the same internal cable routing frame as the 7, and can be easily upgraded with a dropper post if so desired. RIGHT Rear derailleur shifter cable exiting the frame under the bottom bracket. BELOW The rear triangle of the Nail Trail 6, with shaped seatstays and chainstays, SRAM NX derailleur, Sunrace cassette, and Schwalbe Nobby Nic tires.
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BICYCLIST magazine
SoCal and Beyond
More Photos?
Visit socalbicyclist.com and search “Marin”
TOP The Nail Tail was a capable climber and descender on popular singletracks and doubletracks. RIGHT A little exploration, looking back over the Harding Truck Trail.
Specs (NAIL TRAIL 6) FRAME: Series 3 6061 Aluminum, Double Butted, Internal Shifter & Dropper Post Routing, 142x12mm Thru-Axle FORK: RockShox Recon Silver RL, 120mm of travel, Compression and Rebound Adjustment, 51mm Offset CRANKSET: Marin Forged Alloy 1x11, Hollow Spindle, Steel Narrow-Wide 32T Chainring, 76mm BCD REAR DERAILLEUR: SRAM NX 11-Speed SHIFTER: SRAM NX 1x11-Speed CASSETTE: Sunrace 11-Speed, 11-42T CHAIN: SRAM 110 11-Speed BRAKES: Shimano BR-M445 Hydraulic Disc HANDLEBAR: Marin 6061 Mini-Riser, 780mm width REAR HUB: Formula, 142x12mm, Quad Sealed Cartridge Bearings, Alloy Axle, Centerlock Disc, 32H FRONT HUB: Formula, 100x15mm, Sealed Cartridge Bearings, Centerlock Disc, 32H RIMS: Marin Aluminum Double Wall, 27mm Inner Width TIRES: Schwalbe Nobby Nic Performance 2.25 MSRP: $1199
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19
Event Calendar
GUIDE TO THE CALENDAR
We do our best to comb the wild west of cycling event websites to get the information you need to make the most of your time in the saddle. We provide this comprehensive listing, without endorsement, but we ask that you support the events that support the magazine.
Do you have an event you’d like to list? Submit for free at socalbicyclist.com/events
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March
18-19 Multi
Keyesville Classic SAMBARN MTB Keyesville Campground
19 Sunday
Southridge Winter Series Southridge Racing MTB: DH, XC, Enduro Southridge Park
20-26 Multi
Solvang Spring Tour Planet Ultra ROAD: 69/78/77/77/63/92/39 miles Royal Copenhagen Inn
4 Saturday
2017
28th Annual Blossom Bike Ride Reedley Lions Club ROAD: 60, 40, 20 miles Reedley College
Reedley
NCa
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OC Donut Ride OCBrakeless FIXED Outlets at Orange
5 Saturday
Southridge Winter Series Southridge Racing MTB: DH, XC, Enduro Southridge Park
6 Sunday
Southridge Winter Series Southridge Racing MTB: DH, XC, Enduro Southridge Park
4-5 Multi
Orange
SCa
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Fontana
SCa
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Fontana
Lake Isabella
SIGNS & SYMBOLS Date
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Fontana
SCa
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Solvang
SCa
25 Saturday Saddleback Spring Classic Gran Fondo Irvine Renegade Racing & PCRF ROAD: 100, 50, 31, 1 miles SCa Irvine Valley College ____________________________________________________
City, State
FEATURES
Tri
MAGAZINE SUPPORTERS support our supporters COMPETITION events with posted participants and results ROAD events with 90% or more paved route MOUNTAIN events with 90% or more dirt trail CYCLOCROSS closed course road/mtb hybrid GRAVEL fire roads, grinders and adventure rides TRIATHLON running, swimming, and biking BICYCLISM arts, entertainment and BIKES!
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NCa NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Nv NEVADA SCa
OREGON Wa WASHINGTON Az ARIZONA Or
Bike MS: Coastal Challenge National Multiple Sclerosis Society ROAD: 100, 30 miles Rose Bowl
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Malibu Granfondo Westlake Village Serious Cycling ROAD: gran fondo & time trial SCa Four Seasons Hotel
25-26 Multi
Bike MS: Arizona Scottsdale, AZ National Multiple Sclerosis Society ROAD: 100, 30 miles McDowell Mountain Regional Park
8 Saturday
10-12 Multi
NAHBS Salt Lake City, UT North American Handmade Bicycle Show CONVENTION Salt Palace Convention Center
26 Sunday
CicLAvia – Culver City Meets Venice Los Angeles Presented by Metro OPEN STREETS SCa Venice Hub
Counting Coup (Sold Out) The Warrior's Society MTB: 44 miles / 8000' Blackstar Canyon Road
11 Saturday
Solvang Century S.C.O.R. ROAD: 100, 70, 51 miles Hotel Corque
9 Sunday
Mulholland Challenge Double Agoura Hills Planet Ultra ROAD: 106 miles / 12700’ SCa Hampton Inn & Suites
SCa
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Solvang
SCa
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April 1 Saturday
18 Saturday
Solvang Double Century Planet Ultra ROAD: 192 miles / 8300’ Santa Ynez Valley Marriott
20
SCa
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Tour de Cure Phoenix American Diabetes Association ROAD: 100, 75, 50, 25, 10 miles Midwestern University
Glendale, AZ
Az
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Southridge Winter Series Southridge Racing MTB: DH, XC, Enduro Southridge Park
Fontana
SCa
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Whiting Ranch Ultimate Time Trial Non Dot Adventures MTB: XC, Enduro, TT Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park
Trabuco Canyon
SCa
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Redlands Strada Rossa Inland Empire Biking Alliance GX: 145, 100, 50 km Ritual Brewing Co.
BICYCLIST magazine
Redlands
SCa
Az
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Joshua Tree Double Century Twentynine Palms Mountain High Cycling ROAD: 193 miles / 9343’ SCa El Rancho Delores Motel Buellton
SCa
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Pasadena
Event Name Organizer TYPE: length Location
SCa
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Day
2017
OC Donut Ride OCBrakeless FIXED Outlets at Orange
Orange
SCa
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Southridge Winter Series Southridge Racing MTB: DH, XC, Enduro Southridge Park
Fontana
SCa
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Mulholland Challenge Agoura Hills Planet Ultra ROAD: 106, 73, 52 miles SCa Hampton Inn & Suites
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Campagnolo GranFondo San Diego Granfondo Cycling Tours ROAD: 102, 56, 34, 20 miles Ruocco Park
15 Saturday
Mr. Frog’s Wild Ride Feeney Park Foundation ROAD: 100K, 50K Feeney Park
Murphys
NCa
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Hemet Double Century and Century Inyo Ultra Cycling ROAD: 200 and 100 miles Motel 6
SoCal Enduro Series #3 Team Big Bear MTB: Enduro TBA
20-23 Multi
Subaru Sea Otter Classic Powered by SRAM FESTIVAL, CX, MTB, ROAD Laguna Seca Raceway
2 Sunday
Southridge Winter Series Southridge Racing MTB: DH, XC, Enduro Southridge Park
22 Saturday
The Boob Ride Orange County FUN4GOOD ROAD: 90, 60, 30 miles Amtrak Station
7-9 Multi
Eroica California Hospice SLO County ROAD: 120, 85, 67, 38 miles Paso Robles Downtown Park
SCa
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Fontana
SCa
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Paso Robles
SCa
SCa
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Fontana
SCa
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Southern Inyo Double Century Lone Pine Inyo Ultra Cycling ROAD: 199 miles / 8100’ SCa Comfort Inn
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Silverado
Hemet
SCa
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Monterey
NCa
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Irvine
SCa
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The Boob Ride San Diego Solana Beach FUN4GOOD ROAD: 90, 60, 30 miles SCa Tidewater Tavern
SoCal and Beyond
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23 Sunday
45th Annual Primavera Century Fremont Freewheelers Bicycle Club ROAD: 100, 85, 63, 40, 25 miles Mission San Jose High School
29 Saturday
Tour de Cure San Diego American Diabetes Association ROAD: 100, 62, 29, 12, 1 miles Del Mar Fairgrounds
Fremont
NCa
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Del Mar
SCa
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Devil Mountain Double Quackcyclists ROAD: 206 miles / 20,000’ Marriott
30 Sunday
L’Etape California Le Tour de France ROAD: 80 miles / 11000' Mt. Baldy
San Ramon
NCa
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Irvine
SCa
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M ay
2017
3-7 Multi
33rd Annual Redlands Classic Redlands Bicycle Classic ROAD: TBA Citrus Avenue Downtown
Redlands
6 Saturday
XTERRA Renegade Off Road Triathlon San Dimas Renegade Race Series TRI: 18.5 total miles SCa Tri Bonelli Park
SCa
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Breathless Agony
Kahler Cycling Academy ROAD: 114 miles / 12000’ Sylvan Park
Redlands
SCa
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OC MTB Limestone XC Race OC MTB Races MTB: XC
Silverado
SCa
Limestone Canyon Wilderness Park ____________________________________________________
SoCal Enduro Series #4 So Cal Enduro MTB: Enduro Dirt Club
Los Olivos
7 Sunday
Tour de Cure Napa Valley American Diabetes Association ROAD: 100, 80, 50, 25, 10 miles Veterans Home of California
Yountville
13 Saturday
Trabuco Challenge Warrior’s Society MTB: 24 miles / 4000’ Parker Ranch
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Heartbreak Double Century Costa Mesa Planet Ultra ROAD: 202 miles / 15500’ SCa Holiday Inn Palmdale
15 Thursday
Quick N Dirty Summer Series #3 Quick N Dirty MTB: XC Lake Hodges Boat Ramp
Tour de OC Palmdale Royal Family Kids Camp ROAD: 100, 55, 25 miles SCa Vanguard University
17 Saturday
Tour de Cure Spokane Spokane, WA American Diabetes Association ROAD: 100, 50, 25, 10 miles Wa Northern Quest Resort and Casino
Cucamonga Challenge Rancho Cucamonga Friends of the Pacific Electric Trail ROAD: 50, 25 miles SCa Central Park
Terrible Two Double Century Sebastopol Santa Rosa Cycling Club ROAD: 200 miles / 16600’ NCa Analy High School
22 Thursday
Quick N Dirty Summer Series #4 Quick N Dirty MTB: XC Lake Hodges Boat Ramp
24 Friday
Alta Alpina Challenge Markleeville Alta Alpina Cycling Club ROAD: 198, 134, 110, 64, 37, 19, 15 miles NCa Turtle Rock Park
25 Saturday
Grand Tour Los Angeles Wheelmen ROAD: 400, 300, 200, 124 miles Malibu Canyon Road
29 Saturday
Tour de Cure Oregon/Washington Hillsboro, OR American Diabetes Association ROAD: 104, 69, 49, 29, 5 miles Or AmberGlen Park
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Davis Double Century
Davis Bike Club ROAD: 200 miles / 8000’ Veterans Memorial Center
Davis
NCa
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Tour of the Unknown Coast St Joseph Health ROAD: 100, 62, 50, 20, 10 miles Humboldt County Fairgrounds
Ferndale
NCa
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21 Sunday
Cervélo Belgian Waffle Ride Cervélo ROAD: 140 and 68 miles Lost Abbey
San Marcos
SCa
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SoCal Enduro Series #5 So Cal Enduro MTB: Enduro Vail Lake Resort
Temecula
SCa
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Tour de Cure Seattle American Diabetes Association ROAD: 100, 70, 40, 25, 10 miles Chateau Ste Michelle
Woodinville
Wa
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June
2017
1 Thursday
Quick N Dirty Summer Series #1 Quick N Dirty MTB: XC Lake Hodges Boat Ramp
3 Saturday
Eastern Sierra Double Century Planet Ultra ROAD: 200 miles / 10200’ La Quinta Inn
8 Thursday
Quick N Dirty Summer Series #2 Quick N Dirty MTB: XC Lake Hodges Boat Ramp
Central Coast Double Century Paso Robles BMS Cycling ROAD: 211 miles / 14000’ SCa La Quinta Inn & Suites
9-13 Multi
California Central Coast Ride San Francisco Climate Ride ROAD: San Francisco to San Luis Obispo NCa San Francisco’s Presidio
10 Saturday
Tour of Two Forests Double Century Planet Ultra ROAD: 198 miles / 13220’ Hampton Inn
SCa
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NCa
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Trabuco Canyon
SCa
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Tour of Long Beach
Long Beach
Renegade Racing ROAD: 100, 62, 30, 5 miles Long Beach Convention Center
SCa
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13-14 Multi
Kern County Junior Stage Race SAMBARN ROAD: TBD Kern County Race Way Park
Bakersfield
20 Saturday
Dina LaVigna Breath of Life Ventura Triathlon Renegade Race Series TRI: print/international/relay SCa Ventura Harbor
SCa
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Tri
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Heartbreak Hundred Planet Ultra ROAD: 100 miles / 8500’ Holiday Inn Express
socalBICYCLIST.com
Lebec
SCa
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Escondido
SCa
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Bishop
NCa
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Escondido
SCa
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Escondido
SCa
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Escondido
SCa
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Malibu
SCa
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J u ly 29 Saturday
2017
Tour de Cure OR/WA American Diabetes Association ROAD: 104, 69, 49, 29, 5 miles AmberGlen Park
Hillsboro
Or
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Santa Clarita
SCa
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Tour de Cure Los Angeles American Diabetes Association ROAD: 100, 66, 32, 7 miles Santa Fe Recreational Dam
11 Sunday
Anti-Cancer Challenge Ride Renegade Racing ROAD: 100, 60, 30, 10 miles Angel Stadium
Irwindale
SCa
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Anaheim
SCa
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Tour de Cure Silicon Valley American Diabetes Association ROAD: 120K, 100K, 75K, 50K, 25K HP Campus Palo Alto
Palo Alto
NCa @socalbicyclist
21
Last Page
Antiperspirant: bad to worse?
Something to think about before you swipe that stick By Kelley O'Toole
S
o maybe you're used to swiping antiperspirants as part of your pre-ride ritual, but when was the last time you cycled without it? If you look back a little further in time you may find that antiperspirant is a relatively new ritual for humanity and one that seems to be greatly influenced by target marketing. Despite the popularity of antiperspirant deodorants today, most Americans didn’t use them until the early twentieth century. For the average person, the antidote to unpleasant smells and sweat was often heavy amounts of perfume and altered clothing, such as cotton sweat pads under the armpits. So when the first antiperspirant was released to the public in 1903 manufacturers had trouble getting people to buy the product. American society was still Victorian in its' sensibilities and discussing perspiration or body odor in public would have been considered an "indelicate" topic. But in 1919 ads by antiperspirant companies presented perspiration as a social faux-pas that would cause people to gossip behind your back. The most aggressive marketers were from a brand called Odo-ro-no, who started a campaign in 1919 with the intention of inciting a “frank discussion of a subject too often avoided,” with copy like: "A woman’s arm! Poets have sung of it, great artists have painted its beauty. It should be the daintiest, sweetest thing in the world. And yet, unfortunately, it isn’t always." (1919 edition of the Ladies Home Journal ) According to the copywriter who wrote the ad, James Young, deodorant sales increased 112% the year after the ad was published (200 subscriptions were canceled by women who were offended by the ad). By the 1930's, advertisements were much more direct in their message, like the copy from the a Mums antiperspirant deodorant ad (pictured) from 1934: "The smartest girl is stupid when she doesn't live up to her looks - when she allows the ugly odor of underarm perspiration make her unpleasant to be near." Since the 1920's, antiperspirant sales have been on a steady incline, with even more growth after the release of liquid roll-on and aerosol spray can antiperspirants in the 1950's. Companies saw an increase in men antiperspirant use during the 1930's Great Depression when advertisements targeted men's insecurities about losing their job by suggesting that "unprofessional grooming" and being perceived as stinky at the office could get you fired. Brands also designed their product to be distinctly masculine, a deliberate way to disassociate the product with women. For example, the antiperspirant deodorant Seaforth, released in the 1940's, was shaped like a whiskey bottle and had a pirate on the packaging - a deliberate way to remove the female association with the product. It was only in the last decade that studies showed the main ingredient in antiperspirant, aluminum, could cause 22
BICYCLIST magazine
cancer, Alzheimer’s, bone disease and kidney disease through absorption of the skin. Even the FDA, who do not regulate cosmetics (deodorants/antiperspirants fall under this category), made public acknowledgments that "small amounts of aluminum can be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and through the skin." However, other studies have concluded that there is not enough aluminum in antiperspirant deodorant to have an effect on your immune system. Manufacturers claim that there is not an alternative that works as effectively as aluminum salts do in preventing sweat and smell - and why would they? The US remains the largest market worldwide with a projected revenue of USD 3.47 billion by 2019 - there are a lot of companies and people who’re invested in the success of antiperspirant. Additionally, a study found that aluminum in antiperspirants labeled as “anti-microbial” (intended to kill stinky bacteria) may actually make you smell worse. In 2012, Chris Callewaert, a Ph.D student specializing in microbial ecology, and a team of researchers recruited eight subjects to pledge not to use deodorant or antiperspirant for an entire month. What they found was that antiperspirant use resulted in an increase of actinobacteria, the major bacterial instigators of armpit odor. This bacteria dominates the armpit of the antiperspirant users, while the test subjects who switched to aluminum free deodorant showed a decrease of the bacteria. That's not to say that aluminum in antiperspirants is solely responsible for body odor, but it would seem it doesn't help.
What can you do?
Perhaps it’s not the sweat you’re concerned about; instead body odor is the real concern (especially if you’re riding with a new friend). Try switching to deodorant, which only prevents the development of odor in perspiration and doesn't reduce the amount of perspiration. Deodorants are more like a perfume for your underarm than a preventative measure. It's still a good idea to check the ingredients on deodorant labeled products because some can turn out to be antiperspirants in disguise. Rest assured that companies like Lush aggressively avoid aluminum in their deodorants and instead turn to natural ingredients to combat odor causing bacteria, like witch hazel which is a natural astringent. Tom’s of Maine deodorants are a popular natural choice and are sold at major stores like Target. No need shy away from a little sweat, sweating is a way that your body rinses away toxins. For this reason, sweating has great benefits for your skin by clearing blemishes and even helping to heal wounds. Sweat can also serve to cool the body in dry areas as moisture on your skin evaporates into the air and heat from your body is transferred away. Always remember that you are losing water while you sweat, so be sure to stay hydrated. ▲
Mum Deodorant Ad from True Experience, July 1934
BICYCLIST Team Alternatives
Men: "Old Spice deodorant. No aluminum. Prevents the stink and maintains the benefits of perspiration, but is cheap and I can find it at home and abroad. For other deodorants, I've tried Tom's, hippie crystals etc. but the Old Spice stands out as keeping me smelling fresh." - Chris R. Women: “I’ve tried a lot of different natural deodorants that put in the work on bike rides and none have been as good as ARROW protect by Birchbox. I definitely still sweat, which isn't much of a problem for me, but this deodorant is the best smelling that I've tried from the natural options. You'll glow under the sun and smell like a citrus." - Kelley O. Sans-Deodorant: "I prefer not using any products, and I do a pretty good job not offending with just some simple lifestyle changes. I just try to facilitate the naturally-occurring protectives of my skin. I don’t like the feel of foreign oils or other things on my skin, and with a good diet, some basic cleanliness (not wearing clothes too long, changing sheets, rinsing off), I don’t build up very much smell anymore." - Victor P. SoCal and Beyond
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